Political Association.

Manawatu Herald, 15 March 1892, Page 2

Political Association.

A meeting convened by circular was held at the Hail last night by those favourable to the formation of a National Political Association. Mr Thynne was e'ected to the chair and briefly stated the objects of the meeting. He then called upon Mr J. G. Wilson, M.H.R., who said that he was -"cry pleased the farmers were organising themselves politically. It was evident that they were getting alarmed. He believed that had similar steps been taken earlier two more seats would have been secured. The fact was, farmers and settlers found a difficulty in getting together to what townspeople did, as they had very long hours and bad roads, whereas the tpwnspeople lived close together and could easily attend meetings. It had been said that the movement was one only to secure present politicians their seats, but he could assure them such was not the case, and he had received letters from settlers up and down the coast asking for information about such organisations. The planks suggested had been considered by other Associations up the coast and had met with approval, minor points need not hinder an agreement upon the principal planks. A certain amount of latitude must be allowed. The main objects of the Association are 1. To promote economy and honesty of administration. 2. To support an equitable system of taxation. 3. To uphold freehold tenure as against nationalization of the land. 4. To oppose the renewal of an extravagant Public Works borrowing policy. 5. To obtain the dual electoral vote, i.e., that every ratepayer without distinction, shall have a vote in addition to his residential vote. With regard to the first, all can agree with that. We must have more political purity and show Ministers present, and to come, that they must act more as Ministers of I the Crown than as political touts, which he much regretted to say some |of the present iVi misters seemed to think more in their line. With regard to the second plank it must be borne in mind that the Premier is an advowed sijgle-taxer. In time land might have to pay all taxes. It was not only the Premier's notion, bnt he was followed by a certain number of members, and they must be careful about supporting such a system of taxation as introduced last session. Taxation should only be raised to pay the expenses of the country, and it was not right to use it in any way as a penal tax. It was urged that the smaller landholders will be freed by the heavier taxation of the larger ones, but it would be only so for a time. Farmers will pay as much with this new taxation as they did under the old form of taxation. Some would pay a little more, some a little less, but it was a fact that now the country would have to pay £75,000 more than previously, this sum having been taken off the towns. A near neighbour of his had stated his distrust of the present Government, and he had pointed out that he had need to, as in South Australia the small were used as tools first and then they were victimised and taxed in the same way as the large landowners. They would have to remember also that Mr W. \\ utchison, a supporter of the Government had said that the tariff ought to be raised to foster Native industries, If this was done the country settlers would have to pay the cost. Surely it was time we were all banded together. The third plank was also one which was unlikely to cause any disagreement. He was not against perpetual leasehold, but most had come out to the Colony to get land, and it was of interest to the whole community that they should be able to. The Government desired to do away with the right that exists under the perpetual leasehold system, of the occupier being able to purchase the land within a certain time. They carried their measure in the House, but the Legislative Council threw the clause out The fourth plank was an important one, to oppose the renewal of an extravagant Public works borrowing policy We ought all to agree to this. It must be remembered that the holders of land were the hostages held by the lenders of borrowed money. He was more in favour of ceasing railway works and opening up the country by roads. The Public Works policy as carried out by the Hon Mr Seddon was difficult to understand. The works were now let to men at so much per chain, instead of to a contractor for the whole job. Many men who went upon these works were wholly unacquainted with the 1 ibour, and to enable them to earn a sum, prices had to be raised, and this had to be done to such an extent that we were now paying for the work fifty per cent more than under the old system Cases were known were men, capable navvies, had gone to Wellington and applied for labour on these works, and had been sent up at the Government's expense and had managed, from their training, to make a very good thing at the prices given The fifth plank was, in his opinion, required. He had always thought that property should be represented

in Parliament. To support a craalw vote would, in a way, be getting ifc back again. The Government favor the " one man one vote " and the Premier had, at a meeting down South, described the small farmers as the Government's natural enemies. In Victoria the question at the 'elections is the -liock Tax and what is equal to the Dual Vote. They have the property vote, bnt the farmers, find protection so much against them that they have arisen and said " aa you have proteoted everything else you must now protect us." The Trades Hall, a combination over there, meet in secret conclave and determine upon what is to be done, and then dictate to the Government and the people have at last got frightened at this tyranny and assert that it must be altered. A vote^ 13 given iot because a man has brains but because he pays taxes, and ratepayers are more burdened than those who pay only through the Customs. It has been calculated that the country people have to .find oveff £500,000. A man who leaves the CMony leaves his debts and responsibitities to the people who remain upon the land and they are entitled to have more power in the administraticn of the Government. Organisation was a great power, and the present movement was only in its . infancy. We were fighting for one common object, and we could secure in the future that there should be nc clashing of interests in an election, but let each contest be a straight stand-up fight between a candidate on each side. He had been willing to assist this organisation as far as he could, taking a part when wanted or standing aloof. He was aware that he had been accused in so acting for selfish ends, but he knew that they would absolve him from such a charge. He. then moved, "That a Poitical Associa. don for Foxton and the Manawatu County be hereby formed for the purpose of carrying into effect the following objects (above stated). Mr E. Gardner rose to second with pleasure the resolution proposed. He considered all were indebted to Mr Wilson for moving it. The resolution might look too much like country against the towns, but he thought many who, had no landed property wou d support the planks of the platform. In a short speech it was difficult to give the reasons in favour of freehold tenure as against land nati nalizatim, but the more ppople thought about it the more important it appeared to oppose it. He considered the dual • vote perfectly fair, as those in the country had something to show that they had exercised prudence and thrift and were therefore eutitled to greater consideration. Mr R. B. McKenzie also supported the motion. In reference to the town against the country he desired to point out that the wording originally was colony and not country. It whs intended that those who resided in the Colony should have more say than the floating'popnlalion. 1 hough it had been stated by Mr Percival that the Government was not driving capital away from the Colony it had been shown that £75,000 extra taxation had been ad<led to the land, and Ministers had said that they had got the thin edge of the wedge in and were determined to drive it home. Are people who are on the land to be treated as beasts ot burden, to work and slave and bear all the taxation of the country ? The Government had dec!ared the dual vote to be a diabolical measure, but the " one man one voto " proposal of the Government was the meanest as well as the most diabolical proposal ever made, as it brought every man down to the lowest position of the public-house loafer.. Eate payers have to pay not only the ordinary taxes but in addition have to find the ' money for the construction of roads, bridges, and Hospitals and Charitable Aid. It bad been asserted 'hat all the interest he had in the formation of this Association was selfish and done to assist his election. He declared that for years he had not " thought of standing as a candidate nor had he any indention, though that he never would was not to the purpose He had every confidence in Mr Wilson and had supported hikt. '■'. for years, and he had not forfeited^ his confidence. He desired to act merely for the benefit of the district. The resolution was then put from the cha r and carried unan tnously. Mr J. L. Oliver briefly moved, " Tha the name of the Association bo the Maoawatn National Poli,ical Association, aud the Committee thereof have power to affiliate w,ith any other Association of a similar character throughout the Colony, the subscription to be 5s annually, paid in advance," and Mr T^Wilsoa seconded. ''■'•■ || On being put to the meating the resolution was unanimously carried. Mr T. Wilson then moved and Mr E. B. McKenzie oeconded, " That a general Committee, with power to add to the number, be appointed, five to be a quorum, .and that those wi'ling t) act on su'oh Committee hand in their names to the oh airman at once. That the "general com' tnittee have power to prepare fry laws for the regulation of tha| business of the Association and appoint an executive committee and subcommittee for the various parts of

(the district, , shou'd such a course :seem ttesirable." This resolution was also carried unanimously. A vote of thanks to the chair moved by Mr J. G Wilson brought a successful meeting to a close. A good many entered their names as members and paid their subscriptions.